A High Court enforcement notice was placed on its front door by representatives of Salford-based debt recovery firm Andrew Wilson & Co.

It explained that the deadline for the company to fulfill its obligations was December 26 after which an unspecified amount of goods would be disposed of.

However, David Croft, who said he had worked at the company on-and-off or 20 years, told ExaminerLive: "There are no financial problems. The problem was with the lease which has been concluded.

"We rent from the lessor but there isn't one at the moment so we are in limbo."

The High Court enforcement notice placed on the front door of Abbeyways (Image: Reach Plc)

He said a professional locksmith employed by the debt recovery firm had been to the shop when it was shut during the night to "avoid any aggravation" and produced the lock for ExaminerLive's inspection.